Download The Marlowe Theatre is open TUE 4 OCT 2011

For immediate release FINAL
5 October 2011
The new Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, opens
The new Marlowe Theatre was officially opened by HRH The Earl of Wessex last
night (Tuesday 4 October ) with a Gala Concert celebrating the completion
of a two year, £25.6 million project.
The concert by the theatre’s resident Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by
David Parry, featured a selection of orchestral and operatic masterpieces
performed by Sir John Tomlinson (bass) and Carmen Giannattasio (soprano).
The Earl of Wessex, who is the Royal Patron of the New Marlowe Theatre
Development Trust, was joined by an invited audience and members of the
public who had won their tickets by public ballot, packing the 1200-seater
auditorium.
The Earl said: “It has been an absolute pleasure and delight to have served as
a Patron on this appeal and it has been a fantastic journey. I just want to
thank everyone who supported it. You’ve now got this fantastic theatre and I
hope you will use it and come back and support it time and time again.”
The theatre, in the heart of the medieval city, has been designed by the
award-winning Keith Williams Architects and is one of the most significant
current capital arts projects in this country. It has been completed on time
and on budget and is set to give the South East a major cultural boost.
Leader of Canterbury City Council Cllr John Gilbey said: “This wonderful new
theatre is a gift to our city and district and the theatregoers of the south east.
It will provide an annual economic boost of an estimated £25 million and
employment for 150 staff. And for performers it offers a world-class venue to
show off their talents. The opening is the culmination of many years’ hard
work and we are very proud of the end result.”
Theatre Director Mark Everett added: “Our Opening Gala was a huge
success and one of the smoothest run events I have ever experienced in a
theatre. The Philharmonia and singers Sir John and Carmen sounded fantastic
in our wonderful new auditorium; the acoustic is good as we had hoped and
planned - and probably more.
“Above all, it was great to see 1200 happy and smiling people enjoying the
Earl and Countess of Wessex’s presence in our new theatre. What a fantastic
way to launch a new and exciting theatrical journey for Canterbury.”
The project which started in spring 2009 saw the demolition of the old
Marlowe Theatre – which started life as a cinema in the 1930s - and a new
Marlowe constructed on an extended site. The stunning main auditorium is set
over three levels with an orchestra pit that can accommodate up to 80
musicians, enabling The Marlowe to stage world-class music, theatre and
dance.
The new theatre has been made possible through a mix of public and private
funding. Canterbury City Council has been the leading funder contributing
around £17 million. Kent County Council and SEEDA have also supported the
project. A major fundraising campaign was set up by The New Marlowe
Theatre Development Trust to raise £4.2 million towards the total cost of the
project.
For further information please contact:
Jane Acton or Ellie Hughes
Colman Getty
Tel: 020 7631 2666
E: [email protected] / [email protected]
Notes to editors

For further information about the theatre visit: www.marlowetheatre.com

Images of the theatre and the Gala evening are available from Colman
Getty

The Marlowe Theatre is owned and managed by Canterbury City Council.